Rail Freight Interchange, Park Street: 05 September 2013 Update, SADC Refused Permission to apply for Judicial Review

Post date: Sep 8, 2013 5:02:20 PM

St Albans City and District Council was refused permission on Friday 30 August to proceed with its current Judicial Review application. 

The Council sought to challenge a decision by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government made on 14 December 2012.  The challenge related to the Secretary of State’s decision not to re-open the planning inquiry into the proposed Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) in Park Street and conjoin it with an inquiry into an alternative site near Slough. 

The Council’s initial application for permission to proceed with a Judicial Review was turned down by the High Court in an order issued on 14 June.  An oral hearing before a High Court judge to have the application reconsidered was heard on Friday. 

The Council’s renewed application was rejected after an hour and a half’s hearing.  The judge, Mr Justice Collins, determined that the Secretary of State was entitled to exercise his discretion to reach the decision he did. 

Following legal advice, the Council has decided not to seek leave to appeal against the Judge’s decision. 

Further details are available on the St Albans City and District Council website.